ZnO nanostructure synthesis for the photocatalytic degradation of azo dye methyl orange from aqueous solutions utilizing activated carbon

In this study, zinc acetate (as a precursor) and activated carbon carboxylic acid derivative were used to create the nanostructure of zinc oxide (ZnO) as a matrix. The carboxylic acid derivative was produced by modifying the oxidized activated carbon with nitric acid (AC-COOH). The modified activated carbon's surface was then impregnated with zinc to load it. By using BET, XRD, and SEM to characterize the ZnO nanostructure, it was discovered that it was composed of nanoparticles with a surface area capacity of 17.78 m2 g-1 and a size range of 21–31 nm. The photocatalytic hydrolysis of the dye methyl orange in an aqueous medium served as a test case for the catalyst's performance. The primary variables were considered, including pH, catalyst dose, stirring effect, and starting dye concentration. Measurements of activity below UV light revealed satisfactory outcomes for photocatalytic hydrolysis of the methyl orange (MO). In addition, the efficiency of the methyl orange (MO) photolysis catalyst prepared with unmodified activated carbon was also evaluated. The outcomes proved that zinc oxide (ZnO), made using a derivative carboxylic acid of activated carbon molecules by a matrix, had more good photocatalytic action than zinc oxide (ZnO) made by the real activated carbon matrix.